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Once Kaira and Daichi went back to that restaurant  2 days later, the woman Daichi had spoken of wasn't there. Kaira had even asked one of the waitresses, letting Daichi describe the appearance of the one they sought, but the response they got only frustrated Daichi more.

Apparently, a woman like that never worked there.

Daichi was sure that he saw the girl wearing the uniform of this restaurant when she came to bring Izuna's drink.

Without any clues, Kaira and Daichi went back home.

''Mom, you have to believe me.'' Daichi urged as Kaira tried to unlock the front door, but it took her quite a while to find the keyhole. ''I know what I saw.''

Kaira clenched her jaw and opened the door. ''I do believe you, but we can't do anything now.''

Kaira had her doubts before she went with Daichi, but there was definitely something wrong if the woman Daichi found suspicious suddenly wasn't there anymore, and apparently never even worked there while she had served Izuna and his team that night.

''Just keep your eyes open while walking around town.'' Kaira continued. ''Tell the same to Arata and Kai. You three are the only ones who know exactly what she looks like.''

Daichi nodded tensely. He hated this, but what else could they do?

''Daichi, I'm going to head to the hospital to see Izuna.'' Kaira said as she took her purse. ''I'll go to the store on my way back. Do you need something?"

Daichi shook his head in response.

Kaira bit her lip. It pained her to see her son so down, feeling so powerless, but they had no choice but to wait and see. ''Look after Kazu and Shun, okay? I don't want them to be alone in this house any longer than they've already been.''

''Yes.'' Daichi muttered, and he walked down the hall, into the living room, where he was greeted by his younger brothers.

Kaira pursed her lips and sighed, turning around. As she walked back to the front door, she passed a shelf with a picture of her, Daichi and Sasuke on it, and her ring was lying next to it. Her finger had nearly healed, but she still refused to wear that thing again. She sighed and took the photo, lying it down on the shelf so she didn't have to look at it anymore.

She needed time to think, and unfulfillable promises from Sasuke would only make it more difficult for her.

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''No changes since yesterday?''

Sayuri shook her head and replaced the wet towel on Izuna's forehead.  ''He still has a very bad fever.'' She murmured softly. ''He has opened his eyes a few time but he was never fully conscious.''

Kaira pursed her lips. Of course, she should already be happy that he's still breathing, but his condition had barely improved ever since he came here. Even though he hadn't been in here for a long time, it still worried her. Luckily, Sakura would arrive today and treat him.

Surely, Izuna would do better after that.

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A few knocks on the front door made Daichi look up from the file he was reading. He honestly didn't want to get up. After visiting the archive very quickly after Kaira had left, he had lent some documents about the civilians of Konoha. He hoped to find some very important information in there.

When the person knocked again, Shunsuke decided to climb off the couch and do what Daichi refused to do. The youngest Uchiha left the living room and walked down the hallway. Reaching for the key on one of the shelves, he accidentally shoved the lying photo frame off it, letting it fall to the ground.

The glass which covered the picture broke, and Shunsuke hesitated for a moment. Should he open the door, or should he first clean up the mess he made?

Knocks were heard once again and Shunsuke decided to unlock the door with the key he just took. Pushing down the door handle, he opened the door. Shunsuke was greeted with the sight of a tall man with dark hair which partly covered his face. The only visible eye of the familiar stranger was fixated on him.

While Shunsuke recognized the man he had never met, but seen on pictures, the man didn't even know who was standing in front of him.

''Oi Shun!'' Daichi grumbled as he entered the hallway. ''Did you break some-'' His voice trailed off once he noticed the man, which only worsened his mood. He definitely didn't choose the best time to come, he didn't even need to return at all in Daichi's opinion. After this, he'd probably be away for a few years again, leaving them all on their own.

The man did recognize him. ''Daichi.''

Daichi took Shunsuke's arm and told him to go back to the living room before he turned back to man he'd rather never see again.

''What are you doing here, dad?"

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Kaira sighed as she finally managed to unlock the door, but froze once she opened the door. On the coat rack hang a dark cloak. Her heartbeat sped up, but not out of excitement or happiness. She actually felt anxious.

That cloak could only belong to one person after all.

And it was a person she'd prefer not to see right now.

Slowly, she closed the door, doing it as silently as possible. Sasuke had probably already sensed her, Kaira would like to believe that he still didn't know she was back yet. Actually, she wanted to go straight back to the hospital and stay with Izuna the whole night. Sasuke being here now would only make things harder for her, and she already was in a quite stressful period.

She took one step forward, and something cracked under her shoe. Lifting her foot from the ground to see what it was, she was surprised to see a shard of glass. It didn't take long until she found the photo lying on the ground, and it almost seemed as if someone kicked it partially under the cabinet. It wouldn't have been possible to get there on its own.

Not very far away, was also her ring, which made Asami clench her teeth. Hesitantly, she picked it up.

When she had finally gathered the courage, Kaira slowly entered the living room, but stopped at the doorway. Shunsuke sat on the ground, while Kazu was seated on the couch, and their father sat on the opposite side of the couch.

The three all looked her her, her sons even quite expectantly, as if they wanted her to say something. Kaira looked around the room, but didn't see Daichi anywhere, while he had promised her that he'd look after Kazu and Shunsuke.  ''Where is he?'' She asked, looking at Kazu.

Kazu nervously glanced at Sasuke for a moment before he answered. ''He left after..''

Kaira pursed her lips and ran a  hand through his hair. Kazu didn't even need to finish that sentence since she knew very well why Daichi decided to leave at a time like this. ''That child..'' She muttered. He could at least have warned her that his father was here.

''Why didn't you tell me, Kaira?''

Kaira looked at him from the corners of her eyes, and then moved her gaze to Kazu again, but he shrugged, also having no clue what Sasuke was talking about. It seemed that Shun and Kazu had been sitting there quite uncomfortable, waiting until Kaira came home.

When Sasuke became impatient, which was visible in his eye, Kaira motioned for her sons to leave the room. Kazu and Shun quickly got up and left. Only when Kaira heard them going up the stairs, she turned back to Sasuke. ''I have no idea what you're talking about.'' She spoke curtly.

Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed and he stood up. ''I'm talking about Shunsuke.'' He said coldly. ''Why didn't you tell me about having another child?''

Kaira frowned, and she narrowed her eyes at Sasuke. This had to be a lie. He couldn't mean this. A weak chuckle left her lips. ''Are you serious?'' She sneered, crossing her arms over his chest. It was hard for her to make out his expression from where she stood, but it didn't seem to have changed ever since she entered the room. ''I wrote you countless letters but you never came back or even replied!''

Now Sasuke was the dumbfounded one, and he opened his mouth to respond, but Kaira didn't give him the opportunity to talk. 

''I don't understand why you're even here!'' She continued to argue. ''Why come back after all these years just to leave again tomorrow? If that's how it's going to be, then don't come back ever again!''

''Wait, Kair-'' Sasuke was interrupted when Kaira threw an object at him, which he easily caught. His eyes widened slightly when he opened his hand, only to see that the ring he gave her long ago was returned to him.

When he looked up, Kaira had already left the room.